App-based cabs can’t pick up people from Kovai airport

“The app-based cars are parked near the flag post (nearly 500 metres away) and there is no walkway to reach them. It is really difficult during rain especially for senior citizens. I had raised the issue a number of times and even sent petitions, but to no avail,” said P Udayshankar, a senior citizen from Vadavalli.

He claims to avoid licensed taxis as they fleece customers. The appbased cab operators say they are allowed to drop passengers, but not pick them up by the airport taxi drivers.

“These drivers are aggressive towards those coming to pick up passengers. But, they have been so only over the last two months,” said an Ola driver.

Meanwhile, the airport licensed taxi drivers contended that it’s unfair to allow cab services run by corporate firms to pick up passengers as they have taken a permit by paying a hefty amount to the airport.

“It wouldn’t be an issue if the private cabs pick up only booked customers, but they at times try to draw the attention of new customers by waiting at the entrance.

We are already struggling for our survival and their presence is a big blow,” said P Karthikeyan, president of Kovai Airport Tourist Taxi Drivers and Owners Association.

The taxi operators said that they wouldn’t mind if the app-based cabs carried out operations by paying annual fee, parking fee and following dress code just like them at the airport. “In fact our drivers never fleece passengers and we are forced to adhere to the pre-paid tariff system,” he added.

When queried, Director of Coimbatore International Airport R Mahalingam said that allowing appbased cabs would lead to a crowd before the airport. He also said that there are plans to earmark bays for app-based cabs after collecting a specific fee from them.

Also, the official said that a roofed walkway connecting the terminal to taxi pick-up and dropoff point is being constructed to prevent cabs from waiting on the lane close to the departure and arrival sections.